WELCOME, AGENT.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to change lives in San Diego’s restaurant and hospitality industry—one person at a time.
WELCOME TO THE SAN DIEGO U20 CHALLENGE.
The highest concentration of need in the nation is hidden behind the smiles of those working in restaurants and hotels. Big Table cares for them. We operate proactively and preventatively, stepping in before individuals fall through the cracks.
And with your help, we will make an even greater impact.
Through strategic partnerships, targeted campaigns, and special operations like this one, we will infiltrate San Diego County, ensuring financial sustainability, expanding outreach, and increasing direct impact for those in need.
WE NEED AGENTS OF ALL KINDS.
Whether you’re a company, church group, sports team, association, or individual with a heart for the community, you are leading the way in making a real difference.
YOUR ASSIGNMENT:
Deploy Unexpected 20 (or “U20”) Envelopes. Strengthen organizational culture. Encourage giving without expectation. This mission is not impossible. It’s a MISSION POSSIBLE... and you’re the key to making it happen. Together, we’ll transform lives.
THE U20 ENVELOPE: YOUR SECRET WEAPON.
A covert, no-strings-attached gift for industry workers, bringing them a moment of relief and connecting them to the hope found in Big Table’s no-strings-attached care. We’ll equip your special unit with an arsenal of U20 envelopes and care referral cards. Load the envelopes with $20 cash or a gas/food card, and prepare for deployment.
TARGET RESTAURANTS, HOTELS, AND OTHER HOSPITALITY ESTABLISHMENTS.
While eating out or staying overnight, be on the lookout for those working behind the scenes or on the frontlines. Deploy with purpose, and you’ll witness the real impact of your mission—changing lives in the most unexpected ways.
YOU GOT THIS, AGENT.
Remember, you’re not just part of a mission. You’re part of a movement. Let’s change lives in San Diego—one unexpected envelope at a time.
DEPLOYMENT OPTIONS
RESTAURANTS:
- Be intentional throughout the meal—err, mission.
- Treat the staff well. Learn their name(s).
- At the moment of truth (when the bill arrives), inform them of their great tip AND hand them a U20 envelope covertly. The secret mission begins.
- Encourage them to pass it to a struggling co-worker. Their face will light up when they realize exactly who needs it most!
- Or give it to your server (or another team member) – if you can tell it would impact them. Up to you! There is no wrong choice here.
hotels:
- Surprise your housekeeper. Leave a U20 envelope along with a handwritten note on the nightstand before checkout.
- If you see them in the hall, personally hand it over with words of gratitude for their service.
- Share it with a concierge or shift manager and ask them to give it to someone who might be struggling. No matter how you choose to deploy, it will be a successful mission. And then bug out.
BIG TABLE EATS AROUND THE WORLD AT SEA
It’s time to let your tastebuds travel on Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 5-8pm onboard The Admiral Hornblower Yacht in downtown San Diego. Big Table’s biggest event of the year exploring the flavors of Brazil, France, Morocco, Philippines, Sweden and Thailand. We will be highlighting the results of this city-wide challenge that evening with special partner spotlights.
And remember you have a chance to win tickets just by submitting your U20 experience HERE.
Join us!
THE SAN DIEGO U20 CHALLENGE DEPLOYMENT CONTEST
join the fun and you could win.
To generate troop excitement about the U20 Challenge, we have a 90-day contest running in San Diego from May 15 – August 15, 2025.
Every submitted U20 deployment earns a chance to win (2) tickets ($350 Value) per entry for Big Table’s EATW at Sea on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
HOW TO ENTER: Simply scan the QR code on envelope or Mission Possible postcard or visit www.bigtable.org/unexpected-20s to enter the contest by sharing your U20 experience. It's easy! Just include:
- Name
- Phone
- Share your brief ‘GAVE ONE’ U20 envelope impact story
CLICK FOR ENTRY FORM
One (1) ‘GAVE ONE’ SUBMISSION = One (1) ENTRY. Big Table will select (5) winners on Friday, August 29th, at noon.
U20 RECIPIENTS CAN WIN, TOO!
Encourage the recipient of your U20 envelope to scan the QR code, as you did, and choose ‘GOT ONE’. This will activate an additional DOUBLE IMPACT alert!
One (1) ‘GOT ONE’ SUBMISSION = One (1) ENTRY. Big Table will select (50) winners on Friday, August 29th, at noon. Recipients will automatically be entered into a chance to win e-gift cards.
CLICK FOR ENTRY FORM
Winners will be notified the week of September 1st.
THE BEST PART. Everyone wins when they serve a little hope in the community, right?! Mission accomplished.
SPECIAL AGENT TACTICAL NOTES
EMPLOYERS:
- Encourage organization-wide participation.
- Strengthen your team culture and focus on community care.
- For an even greater impact, consider matching your employees’ U20 envelope deployments—one for them, one for you, doubling the impact and the lives touched. Bam. DOUBLE IMPACT initiated.
- Share your collective impact on our website.
- Celebrate victories at Big Table events.
EMPLOYEES:
- Recruit your employer into the mission.
- Share with your family and friends.
- Support local businesses while dining out.
- Serve hope in your community.
- Enter the contest to win exclusive rewards.
KIDS:
- Young agents have sharp instincts—let them help identify who receives a U20.
- They may even want to deliver it personally, instilling appreciation and generosity from an early age.
PEERS:
- Share the challenge far and wide! Activate your sphere of influence – a sports team, league, church group, networking circle, or association.
- There are no limits to serving hope. This mission is BIG and has no bounds.
- They can grab their own U20 Challenge Starter Kit below.
GRAB THE U20 CHALLENGE STARTER KIT!
If you find yourself here and would like to join the U20 Challenge - welcome! We’d love you to serve hope with us. You can learn more about the San Diego U20 Challenge and activate your Starter Kit by clicking the button below.